ACTIVE BIRTH CLASS - 32 WEEKS, 5 DAYS

Last night I had my first active birthing class. I was a little bit nervous and I didn't even know what to wear! I sent a text to Vivien, the teacher but she didn't get back to me in time so I wore comfy jeans with a t-shirt and took my joggers with me just in case.

It was the usual start of introducing yourself, saying when your baby is due to arrive, where you are planning to have it, have you got any other babies etc.

We then moved on to discussing our birth plans. I did quite a comprehensive plan last time, (see below) so it will need to be changed quite a lot this time. First of all I need to find out what my limitations are in the first place and then work it out from there.

Michelle George’s Birth Plan

My husband, Rob, will accompany and support me throughout my labour.

Home Delivery

The preferences expressed below apply to a trouble free birth. If it is necessary to deviate from these preferences, please can:

The pros and cons of my options be clearly explained to my husband and I;
The implications of doing nothing be explained to us.

In preparation for this birth, I have attended active labour classes. My preference is for as natural a birth as possible. Nevertheless, I understand that I may require pain relief and/or medical intervention if the birth is difficult.

I would prefer not to have internal examinations unless the midwife feels it is necessary to do so. Where possible, I would prefer any examinations to be carried out in the position that I am in at the time.

I would like to have as active a birth as possible – moving around, kneeling, using my birthing ball etc.

I would like to avoid lying on my back. If I need to lie down, I would like it to be on my side if possible.

Hospital Delivery

I would like intervention in the birth to be kept as minimal as safety allows, with foetal monitoring that allows me to remain active and mobile.

Please can the number of people in the delivery room be kept to a minimum – ideally only Rob, the midwife and I.

Please can the lights be kept subdued throughout, including after the birth.

For natural pain relief, I plan to use breathing techniques, a TENS machine, a heat pack and massage etc.

If the birthing pool is available I would like to be able to use this for pain relief. I do not wish, however, to deliver my baby into water so I would like to be removed from the pool as the delivery approaches.

Please do NOT offer me any medical pain relief unless I ask for it.

If medical pain relief is necessary:

I am happy to try gas and air.

I am not keen on pethidine, but would consider it if it was recommended.

If an epidural becomes necessary I would like it to be as low a dose as possible so that I can continue to feel my legs and be aware of contractions. I would prefer for it to wear off for the second stage as I would like to be able to push my baby out myself.

I would prefer the birth not to be induced if possible.

If I use oxytocin during the labour I would still like to be able to move around, so please use a long tube and attach the drip to my arm as opposed to my hand.

Unless it is medically necessary, I would prefer not to have an episiotomy.

I would not like students present during my labour.

If any medical intervention is necessary, I would like to be clearly informed of the benefits, the risks and the alternatives so I can make informed decisions with my husband.

Third Stage of Labour

I would prefer to have an unassisted third stage of labour and Rob would like to cut the umbilical cord once it has stopped pulsating. However, if the midwife feels that it is necessary, or if I feel too exhausted to deliver the placenta naturally, then I would like to wait until the umbilical cord has stopped pulsating and been cut, before the injection is administered.

I would prefer for my baby to be delivered onto the floor/bed in front of me to allow me to bring him to my skin myself.

It is my intention to breastfeed and I wish to do so as soon as possible. I would like to try to breastfeed without assistance and will ask if I require any help.

My husband and I would like to spend some quiet time alone with our baby as soon as is safely possible.

My preference is for our baby not to be administered with the vitamin K injection, however, if the birth has been complicated then I may reconsider this preference. Please ask me for my final decision at the relevant time.

Cesarean Section

I would like to have a front-opening gown to allow skin-on-skin contact as soon as possible.

I would prefer not to have a screen obscuring the delivery but I will accept this if it is considered medically necessary.

I would like the umbilical cord to be clamped as far away as possible from our baby to allow him to benefit from the cord blood.

I would like to be handed my baby as soon as possible and I am happy for him to be cleaned up later.

It is my intention to breastfeed and I wish to do so as soon as possible. I would like to try to breastfeed without assistance and will ask if I require any help.

I would like to be talked through the cesarean procedure while it is happening to allow me understand what is being done.

There were 2 other women in the group who are in the same position as me (VBAC) and there are only 2 first time mums. This actually makes it a lot better as I feel like I'm in the same boat as them and the discussions were more in depth.

My main concern at the moment is getting a plan in place as to what to do when. Lots of people have said that they don't mind me phoning them in the middle of the night, and I am very grateful for that, so I just need to know exactly what I am doing, and to let those people know. For example, what if my waters go at 3:30am, Mum and Dad are away for half of May so I may not be able to call them, so will probably leave them off the list anyway, Rob is 2 1/2 hours away and I know that my Mummy friends work and have young children to take care of too. Makes things a bit tricky really and I don't think I will relax about it until I have sorted something more solid out. Will wait until after the 36 week scan as it might not really matter.

I would really recommend the active birthing classes to anyone, first and second time Mums.

The class was from 6:30pm to 8:30pm but it did run over a bit. It was nice to get home with a bit of time left to chill out before my shower and bed.

I wore my new tubigrip today but it is too big. My message to the physio was, that the tubigrip wasn't too tight but was just too short. The new tubigrip is the next size up so isn't very tight and is about the same length. It tends to fall down during the day and I end up tugging at it all the time. It is more comfortable when I sit down though.

Really enjoying my classes etc and can't wait for yoga on Monday.